Job Summary
ReLeaf Michigan seeks an outgoing individual to work with communities on tree-related programs. You'll work with the organization’s Executive Director and other community forest partners to continue developing, building, and managing our statewide community forestry program. Responsible for coordinating community tree planting programs, including tree planting, maintenance, and related landscaped areas. The Project Forester shall be committed to the mission, vision, and values of ReLeaf Michigan and demonstrate such through ethical conduct, community stewardship, individual initiative, and responsive service. The Project Forester shall demonstrate leadership, management, and technical skills through effective communication and collaboration, proper use of team resources, progressive decision-making, personal accountability, and responsibility. ReLeaf Michigan will provide a laptop and a printer.
Position Responsibilities:
Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the items listed below. The position holder acknowledges and accepts that while they are responsible for the items below, they may, on occasion, be asked to perform duties—within reason—outside of those listed below to help the organization complete a program or project.
- Manage all aspects of projects, including volunteer recruitment, promotion of programs, site selection, tree species selection, tree delivery, and placement, partner communication, securing permits, generation of maps, tree benefit analysis, and all other project needs
- Manage community forest program events and volunteer projects such as tree planting programs, tree pruning sessions, educational workshops, homeowner presentations, and other related events.
- Build and maintain essential community and partner relationships for the execution of ReLeaf Michigan projects
- Track statistics about volunteer engagement, participation, and trends related to community forestry volunteer events.
- Assist the Executive Director with research, editing, and reporting on grants for community forestry programming
- Contribute to strategic and timely communication campaigns, including monthly e-newsletters, social media, and press releases
- Create tree-related blog posts, articles, and social media posts for the program
Required Qualifications and Abilities:
- Must have a Bachelor's degree or higher education/experience in forestry, arboriculture, botany, horticulture, or closely related environmental science fields, or be ISA certified.
- Experience in identifying trees and shrubs by leaves, buds, fruit, and bark characteristics.
- Current practices and procedures for maintaining an urban forest include tree planting, species selection, maintenance, and tree pruning.
- Strong demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
- Technical skills. Must have high proficiency in Microsoft (specifically Excel), Google Workspace, and Adobe. Beneficial but not required: iTree, Constant Contact. Considerable skills with posting on various social media outlets (e.g. Instagram and Facebook)
- Enthusiasm and infectious positive spirit
- Ability to think strategically and have fun.
- Task-oriented and team-focused but can work independently.
- Ability to resolve unforeseen problems without direction.
- Ability to build or be willing to build positive and meaningful relationships with diverse populations.
Demands and Work Environment
- Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
- Must be able to lift more than 10 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.
- Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license plus reliable transportation.
- Travel statewide is required during planting seasons, including occasional overnight trips and evening and weekend meetings.
- Highly flexible availability, specifically during planting seasons (spring and fall). Must be able to work Saturdays.
- Ability to work outside in all weather conditions (we are a rain-or-shine crew), get dirty, perform manual labor, and otherwise support volunteers to accomplish significant projects with specific objectives
- The successful applicant will be expected to attend workshops, seminars, or conferences on topics relating to and benefiting program delivery (to be paid for by ReLeaf Michigan).
